Halloween is almost here, and if you’re planning a night of scary movies, you might not have to look very far for inspiration!
Vancouver Island has served as the backdrop for some seriously creepy productions over the years, from supernatural thrillers and murderous dolls to terrifying creatures lurking beneath the water.
And with its misty forests, historic castles, rugged coastline and occasionally eerie weather, it’s not hard to understand why filmmakers keep coming back.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest horror franchises have even filmed scenes in places locals walk past every day, including downtown Victoria, Shawnigan Lake and Hatley Castle.
This year, there are a few new additions to the list, including a supernatural series that premiered just last week and a psychological thriller filmed in the Island’s wilderness.
So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights and see how many familiar Vancouver Island locations you can spot.
Here are 15 scary movies and TV shows with Vancouver Island connections worth checking out this Halloween.
Yaga (2026)
One of the newest additions to Vancouver Island’s growing collection of scary productions is Yaga, a supernatural mystery series that premiered on Crave on Friday, October 23rd.
Inspired by the legendary witch Baba Yaga from Slavic folklore, the series takes advantage of Vancouver Island’s atmospheric forests, beaches and coastal scenery.
Filming took place around Greater Victoria, with recognizable locations including Willows Beach in Oak Bay and the Surf Motel on Dallas Road.
The series also stars Hudson Williams, known for his role in Heated Rivalry.
Victoria Buzz recently covered the show’s arrival, making it a particularly timely addition to this year’s Halloween watchlist.
Hunting Matthew Nichols (2024)
If you enjoy psychological horror with a true-crime twist, this Vancouver Island production might be right up your alley.
Hunting Matthew Nichols follows documentary filmmaker Tara Nichols as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of her brother and his friend, who vanished in the wilderness of northern Vancouver Island more than two decades earlier.
What begins as a documentary investigation gradually becomes something much more unsettling.
The film was made with a BC-based cast and crew and features haunting shots of Vancouver Island’s forests.
After making its festival debut in 2024, the independent production received a wider theatrical release across Canada in April 2026.
Victoria Buzz previously spoke with Victoria-based actor Christine Willes, who plays a detective connected to the disappearance.
One Mile: Chapter One and Chapter Two (2026)
Imagine taking a road trip through Vancouver Island’s beautiful wilderness, only to find yourself in a terrifying fight for survival.
That’s the kind of nightmare explored in One Mile, a two-part thriller starring Ryan Phillippe.
The films follow a father and daughter whose trip takes a dangerous turn after they encounter an isolated community.
Both chapters were filmed on Vancouver Island, with production taking place around Port Alberni, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Victoria.
One particularly recognizable location is McLean Mill National Historic Site near Port Alberni, which was transformed into a remote compound for the production.
Although more survival thriller than traditional supernatural horror, the films make excellent use of Vancouver Island’s isolated forests and remote landscapes.
The Boy (2016)
Who knew one of Victoria’s most recognizable landmarks could become the setting for a terrifying horror movie?
Starring Lauren Cohan, The Boy follows a young American nanny who accepts a job caring for a wealthy family’s son.
There’s just one problem. The child she’s supposed to look after is actually a life-sized porcelain doll.
As increasingly disturbing events unfold, she begins questioning whether the doll might be something more sinister.
Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle is among the local filming locations associated with the production.
Brahms: The Boy II (2020)
Apparently, one terrifying doll wasn’t enough!
The sequel to The Boy stars Katie Holmes and follows a family whose young son discovers an unsettling porcelain doll named Brahms.
Naturally, things don’t go particularly well from there.
The film continued the franchise’s Vancouver Island connection, with Victoria’s historic architecture once again providing a fitting atmosphere for the unsettling story.
The Changeling (1980)
Long before modern horror movies relied on elaborate special effects, The Changeling was terrifying audiences with mysterious noises, ghostly encounters and an unforgettable haunted-house mystery.
The supernatural horror classic stars George C. Scott as a composer who moves into an old mansion following a family tragedy.
He soon discovers that something disturbing may be hiding within the home.
The production included filming in Greater Victoria, with Colwood’s Hatley Castle among its recognizable locations.
More than four decades later, the film remains a popular choice for fans of classic supernatural horror.
Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996–1999)
Vancouver Island’s castles really do seem to attract supernatural trouble!
The television series Poltergeist: The Legacy follows members of a secret society investigating paranormal activity and protecting people from supernatural threats.
The production made use of Hatley Castle in Colwood, adding another spooky screen credit to the historic landmark.
For fans of paranormal mysteries and occult storytelling, this one is worth revisiting.
Ripper (2001)
If serial killers are more your thing than ghosts, Ripper might be the perfect Halloween pick.
The horror thriller follows a young woman who survives a brutal massacre and later begins studying serial killers.
Unfortunately, her academic interests become terrifyingly personal when a killer begins targeting people around her.
The film was shot in Victoria and features Hatley Castle, proving once again that the historic property has a knack for appearing in unsettling productions.
Final Destination (2000)
One of the most recognizable horror franchises of the early 2000s has a surprising connection to Victoria.
Final Destination follows a group of teenagers who narrowly escape a deadly plane crash, only to discover that death isn’t finished with them.
The original film, starring Devon Sawa, filmed scenes in Victoria, including around Bastion Square.
The franchise returned to Vancouver Island for Final Destination 2, which used Highway 19 near Campbell River for its memorable highway crash sequence.
Maybe don’t watch this one right before a road trip!
Scary Movie (2000)
Need something a little less terrifying?
The original Scary Movie combines horror with outrageous comedy, parodying popular slasher films including Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The production filmed scenes around Victoria, including at Victoria High School.
While it might not keep you awake at night, it’s a fun Halloween choice for anyone who prefers laughs with their jump scares.
The Girl in the Photographs (2015)
This disturbing slasher thriller follows a young woman who begins receiving photographs depicting gruesome murders.
As the images become increasingly personal, she finds herself caught in a terrifying mystery.
The film used Victoria’s former Wellburn’s Market as a filming location, transforming the familiar grocery store into part of its unsettling storyline.
It’s another example of an everyday Victoria location appearing in a very different light on screen.
Lake Placid (1999)
You might want to think twice before your next swim in Shawnigan Lake.
The cult creature feature Lake Placid follows a group of people investigating mysterious deaths near a remote lake, where an enormous crocodile is lurking beneath the surface.
Although the story takes place in the northeastern United States, portions of the film were shot at Shawnigan Lake.
Thankfully, Vancouver Island residents don’t have to worry about giant crocodiles roaming local waters.
At least, we hope not.
The Fog (2005)
Anyone who has spent time on Vancouver Island knows how quickly a thick bank of fog can roll in from the ocean.
In The Fog, however, that mist brings something far more sinister.
The supernatural horror film, a remake of John Carpenter’s 1980 classic, follows a coastal community terrorized by vengeful spirits emerging from a mysterious fog.
Filming took place in several BC locations, including Cowichan Bay and Tofino.
With Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline and misty atmosphere, it’s easy to see why filmmakers chose the region.
Watchtower (2002)
This psychological thriller starring Tom Berenger follows two siblings who become involved with a mysterious newcomer, only to discover he is hiding a terrifying secret.
Although the story is set in Oregon, much of the production took place around Greater Victoria.
Recognizable locations include Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site.
The film uses the Island’s rugged shoreline and isolated landscapes to create a sense of suspense without relying on supernatural monsters.
Final Destination 2 (2003)
If the original Final Destination wasn’t enough to make you nervous, its sequel takes things to another level.
The 2003 horror film is especially remembered for its terrifying opening highway sequence involving a logging truck.
And here’s the local connection: portions of that sequence were filmed along Highway 19 near Campbell River.
It’s a particularly unsettling connection for Vancouver Islanders who regularly travel the Island Highway.
Between that scene and the original film’s Victoria locations, the Final Destination franchise has left quite a mark on Vancouver Island’s horror history.
From haunted castles in Greater Victoria to creepy forests near Port Alberni, Vancouver Island has provided the perfect setting for decades of horror productions.
And with new films and television series continuing to use the region as their backdrop, that spooky legacy isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Have you spotted a familiar Vancouver Island location in a scary movie or TV show? Let us know in the comments!
💬 Join the conversation
No comments yet — be the first to start the conversation
